Cheek-piece for bridles



(No Model.) l A C. RUSSWURM.

GEEEK PIECE EOE EEIDLES.

No. 373,097. Patented Nov. 15, 1887.

WI TJV' ESSES E INVEJV'TR l. UNITED STATES PATENT EEICE.

CHRIST. RUSSWURM, OF SOUTHv BEND, INDIANA.

CHEE-K-PI ECE FOR BRIDLES.

SPECIFICATION forming'part of Letters Patent No. 373,097, dated November 15, 1887.

Application filed March 9, 1887.

erence marked thereon, which form a part ot' this specification. l

Figure 1 of the drawingsis a representation of this invention, and shows the cheek-pieces as they would hang when the bit is not in the horses mouth. Fig. 3 is a .vertical section.

My invention relates to cheek-pieces for bridles, and is designed to facilitate the adjustment of bridle-bits into the mouths of re-` horses, patrolhorses, and others, and it consists inthe construction and novel combina;,

tion of parts, as hereinafter claimed.

Referring by letter. to the accompanying drawings, A designates the head-stall, B the nose-band, and C the side straps or cheekstraps, of the bridle or halter, which may be of any of the constructions commonly used.

D designates one of the cheek-pieces, there being two used with each bridle or halter. A description of one of the cheek-pieces will answer for both, they being similar in con.. struction.

E designates a metal tube which is threaded internally at both its upper and lower ends for short distances to form seats for the upper screw plug or cap, F, and the lower screwplug, G. The upper screw-plug, F, is provided with an annular flange or head, H, above its threaded portion I, and this head H is provided with a rigid loop or eye, J, by which the screw plug or cap F is attached to the bridle or halter. The screw plug o r cap F, being screwed into the upper end ofthe tube E, connects they tube E with the bridle or halter.

K is a headed hook slipped to place on the rod, and the end of the rod upset to prevent' the spring M, which encircles the rod, from pushing the head or collar L from the rod K. Before the spring M and head or collarL are Fig.` 2 is a perspective view..

put to place the lower screw-plug, G, is slipped upon the rod K, said screw-plug being prevented from coming off at the lower end of the rod K by an integral hook, K, which is provided with a tongue or snap-spring, Q, which converts said hook K into a snap-hook. y

The snap-hooks K of the cheelepieces support the bit It and permit it to be removed therefrom at any time for the purpose of changing the bit to suit the driver or to suit the mouth of the horse.

In lieu of the coil-spring, I may, and sometimes do, use a rubberspring or other spring that will serve the purpose of the coil-spring.

When the horselis in the stable'or is feeding, the bit is removed from its mouth and hangs under the lowerjaw ofthe animal.

When an alarm is sounded, it is only neces sary to pull down upon the bit, open the horses mouth, and let goof the bit, which will then be drawn into and adjusted in the horses mouth by the springs in the tubes.

Instead of employing the snaphookK at the lower end ofthe cheek-pieces to secure the bit in place, the bit R may be attached to the rods by a buckle and strap, or the snap-hook may be made with the bit and engaged with eyes on the cheek-pieces'. Y

Having described this invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Leiters Patent, 1s-

1. The combination, with the bridle, of the metal tubes connected on each side to the bridle, the rods and controlling-springs in said tubes, and the bit having its ends detachably secured to the lower ends of said rods by means substantially as speciiied.

2. The combination, with the bridle, ofthe tubes E, outwardly threaded at both ends, the screw-plugs F, provided with the loops or eyes on their outer ends, the hollow screwplug G, the rods K, having the collars L secured to their upper ends in coiled springs surrounding said rods within the tubes, the snap-hooks on the ends of the rods K', and the bit having loops on its ends engaged by said hooks, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I aftix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHRIST. RUSSW'URM. Vitnesses:

BENJ. F. BERGER, WM. BREssLER.

IOO 

